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... and some misc. items like 10 Kihon Jo, and 5 techniques with tanto, etc.

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I find it interesting to see how various places have their testing schedules set up, so I thought I would share ours... well at least for the upcoming exam.

It seems like a lot, but most of the techniques I actually know - its just a matter of working them with various attacks.

The 'new' techniques are really Sumi Otoshi, Kubi Nage, and deeper into Koshinage

Also we have more emphasis on the ushiro techniques as you can see. [As for suwari waza... it works, not a favorite - knees get tired after awhile.]

Feel free to post your testing requirements up - it would be cool to find another schedule which is similar. [I assume by 1st Dan it all adds up to about the same thing, as everyone gets their ranks through Hombu and/or through a 'super Shihan' like Tamura Sensei, etc.]

Feel free to post your testing requirements up - it would be cool to find another schedule which is similar. [I assume by 1st Dan it all adds up to about the same thing, as everyone gets their ranks through Hombu and/or through a 'super Shihan' like Tamura Sensei, etc.]

Peace

dAlen

Lots of folks get ranks not through Hombu or a super Shihan. I think its more a case of knowing how to play the scales in any key. Then you are ready to start learning to play music.

That's a long test list. Looks like fun. How many uke will you use during a test?

Looks nice and varied... almost all of the techniques for my next test (sankyu, in about a month) are ushiro. It's notoriously the most difficult test in our organisation until nidan.

That is indeed quite a bit of Ushiro.

I remember trying to learn it [Ushiro Waza] for the first time for my 3rd kyu... was a bit awkward with some of the techniques. [But same goes for Yokomenuchi as well.]
It seems to be going a bit smoother, at least I hope so in light of the amount of Ushiro on this test.

Your list has elements of what will be in my 1st kyu, when/if I ever get around to it.

We have a lot of the Hamni Hanachi Waza at that level along with the added technique of Jujigarame and some other Otoshi[s]?

Anyway, it was cool seeing your list - fun seeing what other people are up to.

This is the requirements in the USAF (this was my exam, though my sensei has slightly modified the test in putting 3 attackers for the randori). It was the exam I was least satisfied with at the time. So good luck.

This is the requirements in the USAF (this was my exam, though my sensei has slightly modified the test in putting 3 attackers for the randori). It was the exam I was least satisfied with at the time. So good luck.

One thing seems to be clear, across the board everyone is versed in Ushiro Waza by 2nd kyu.
Also everyone so far has HHW which we trade out for KubiNage I suppose. [We practice HHW but is not required until 1st Kyu...]

I relate to what your last statement said, my 3rd kyu exam was the one I was least satisfied with... hoping to change that for my 2nd kyu.

Peace

dAlen

p.s.
I just remembered this is even more interesting as some places have 5 kyus and others, like my dojo, have 6. [As of now it appears at around 2nd kyu things are evening out whatever differences may be there initially... as mentioned at least we can do Ushiro Waza together!]

I am curious about the length of the test.
Im guessing its shorter because your sensei has had time to evaluate all your techniques and feels confident your smooth in all of them, therefore the test is more of a ceremony to show the flow of where your at?

At a certain point I suppose once you gain various underlying principles there really isnt a need to go 'in-depth' to test, as you either got what will make a technique work or not.

I can see the merit in both testing methods I suppose.
[Both show skill, one is just an aerobic version, of which I need to improve on]

Our kyu tests last about 10 minutes. Though you usually also have to take ukemi for another student's test, which means you have to "perform" for about 20 minutes. Your right that the sensei already knows what you are capable of before the test. In my dojo, I've never seen him fail anybody, but I have seen him refuse to let someone present themselves for a test. It's still a bit more than ceremony, and your expected to work on the specific techniques of the test to put on a good show. We have a free practice on Fridays which is mostly used for this type of preparation.

I am curious about the length of the test.
Im guessing its shorter because your sensei has had time to evaluate all your techniques and feels confident your smooth in all of them, therefore the test is more of a ceremony to show the flow of where your at?

At a certain point I suppose once you gain various underlying principles there really isnt a need to go 'in-depth' to test, as you either got what will make a technique work or not.

I can see the merit in both testing methods I suppose.
[Both show skill, one is just an aerobic version, of which I need to improve on]

Peace

dAlen

Yes, that is more or less the reason I think. We have about 3 hours of practice where Kawahara shihan goes around and examines everyone, so that gives him plenty of time. I haven't seen anybody fail ever at my dojo for the past 8 years I've been there (I did miss a couple of seminars so I'm not 100% sure).

My ikkyu test was a bit longer though, (on paper anyways)... but sensei only made me show about 70% of the test. Our shodan test is the same as ikkyu, and I'll let you know how many of the techniques I had to do for that one when I do it next month.

Each technique is done both sides. This preceeded by oral testing on aikido history, etc. You may also be asked to do kokyu dosa, ki testing, etc usually after the 50 basic. Then you're given optionals, which is sensei's choice. A minimum of five variations on whatever is called (could be either attack or technique specific, ie all yokomen, or koshi, shime, etc). You could be asked to do suwari waza and/or hanmi handachi. That's followed by jo (and sometimes bokken) kata, then jo tori, general randori and lastly ryokata tori randori until you can't continue. Also, after the test you are expected to given a written thesis on aikido, martial arts, etc. Around two pages up do shodan, 10+ afterwards.

Each technique is done both sides. This preceeded by oral testing on aikido history, etc. You may also be asked to do kokyu dosa, ki testing, etc usually after the 50 basic. Then you're given optionals, which is sensei's choice. A minimum of five variations on whatever is called (could be either attack or technique specific, ie all yokomen, or koshi, shime, etc). You could be asked to do suwari waza and/or hanmi handachi. That's followed by jo (and sometimes bokken) kata, then jo tori, general randori and lastly ryokata tori randori until you can't continue. Also, after the test you are expected to given a written thesis on aikido, martial arts, etc. Around two pages up do shodan, 10+ afterwards.

Your from Hungary aren't you Jason!
[They are quite intense with any test - the university test are mind twisters and are meant to see what you DON'T know as well as to 'trip' you up... the drivers license test also is a doozy, its not just a one time stop and pick up a license bit, as well as being expensive]

Anyway...
Seriously though, am I correct that this covers all the material previously learned from 6th kyu up?

Quite extensive indeed - you must have some energy indeed for all of this, especially if you turn around and act as uke afterwards. [The falling down and getting up wears me out more than doing the techniques! - of course]

The thesis is a new twist, but intriguing as you have to try to put into words what you know.

Are you part of Aiki-kai? I saw mention of ki test, so perhaps ki-aikido?

Thanks for sharing... by the way how is the flow in the dojo?
Can you comment on how the performance consistency is per level? Do you believe this structure helps in that? [I assume you have time set aside to practice for the exams, or you have to do this on your own time?]

Your from Hungary aren't you Jason!
Seriously though, am I correct that this covers all the material previously learned from 6th kyu up?

Quite extensive indeed - you must have some energy indeed for all of this, especially if you turn around and act as uke afterwards. [The falling down and getting up wears me out more than doing the techniques! - of course]

The thesis is a new twist, but intriguing as you have to try to put into words what you know.

Are you part of Aiki-kai? I saw mention of ki test, so perhaps ki-aikido?

Thanks for sharing... by the way how is the flow in the dojo?
Can you comment on how the performance consistency is per level? Do you believe this structure helps in that? [I assume you have time set aside to practice for the exams, or you have to do this on your own time?]

Peace

dAlen

Thank you!

Well, 5th (we start at 5th) through 3rd kyu you have the 15 basic techniques, rather than the 50, but apart from that the test's are very similar across the board. The main difference is what you're asked to do outside the 15/50 and the intensity level you're expected to perform under.

Yes it's quite exhausting, even from 5th kyu and on. As I mentioned the ryokata randori continues until you cannot, at all levels. Nikyu and up typically takes over an hour. If you were taking ukemi for someone after your own test, I think they'd probably cut you some slack and make sure you didn't have to go immediately after your own test.

We're a Ki society offshoot (the first I believe). Our sensei (Roy Suenaka) trained under O'sensei and Tohei sensei and was one of Tohei sensei's shihan when he broke from the Aikikai. He separated from Tohei sensei around 1977 and has been teaching his own style out of Charleston, Sc since then. It's obviously very similar to what Tohei sensei was teaching in those early years, but also contains a lot of what he learned from O'sensei directly as well as his own extensive martial arts background and combat history. We're recognized by the Aikikai, by way of his history with them, but not affiliated beyond that.

Well, if I'm interpreting what you're asking about flow correctly, it's an important part of what we do, but it's never emphasized for its own sake. Good flow should be a result of proper technique, body mechanics, focus on ki principles, etc and not just there to look good. We're considered by most to be a hard style though.

We're a small, tight organization, so the skill level is consistent. I'm not aware of anyone getting rank just for showing up. We only test once per year, at best. So if you're asked to test it's because your sensei knows you're ready, but you're still expected to perform during the test and the quality/level of that is what really determines the outcome.

In particular, I like the notion of writing essays as a requirement. It sometimes makes me cringe to see those with high ranks who know less about the history of Aikido than I did when I first began training.

"Never escalate a battle unless forced to do so by your enemy" - Zordon

At 2nd kyu students begin working on their Black Belt Project which could be a variety of things, including a thesis sort of project. I've been told there is a collection of them in our dojo library. I should read them!

I am curious about the length of the test.
Im guessing its shorter because your sensei has had time to evaluate all your techniques and feels confident your smooth in all of them, therefore the test is more of a ceremony to show the flow of where your at?

I'm not positive, but I have always assumed it's partly because the emphasis is supposed to be less on the shear number of different techniques, but more on how well you use the basic principles, ways of moving, posture, etc, in all your techniques. I'm not sure you need to see 50 different techniques to see what level someone's at -- after all, many of the techniques tested at 5th kyu may be ones you use in randori or in the jiuwaza in more advanced levels, but the quality of the technique would be different.

We're a Ki society offshoot (the first I believe). Our sensei (Roy Suenaka) trained under O'sensei and Tohei sensei and was one of Tohei sensei's shihan when he broke from the Aikikai. He separated from Tohei sensei around 1977 and has been teaching his own style out of Charleston, Sc since then. It's obviously very similar to what Tohei sensei was teaching in those early years, but also contains a lot of what he learned from O'sensei directly as well as his own extensive martial arts background and combat history. We're recognized by the Aikikai, by way of his history with them, but not affiliated beyond that.

I would like to try a Ki Society one day... been interested in it ever since I read interviews with Tohei Sensei. [I believe he is still alive, but retired?]

Ive heard they have videos but you have to be a member to purchase them? [Interesting that its not open for public purchase, but I guess I can see the logic there.]

Thanks for sharing about your organization.

Quote:

Linda Eskin wrote:

Thank goodness I don't have to worry about 2nd kyu for a few years (just did 5th kyu yesterday). Here's ours:

Linda it looks like they give you a nice variation of techniques at the beginning to work and get familiar with... thats pretty cool.

Quote:

Basia Halliop wrote:

... but more on how well you use the basic principles, ways of moving, posture, etc, in all your techniques.

I'm not positive, but I have always assumed it's partly because the emphasis is supposed to be less on the shear number of different techniques, but more on how well you use the basic principles, ways of moving, posture, etc, in all your techniques. I'm not sure you need to see 50 different techniques to see what level someone's at -- after all, many of the techniques tested at 5th kyu may be ones you use in randori or in the jiuwaza in more advanced levels, but the quality of the technique would be different.

The principles and components of a good technique don't change based on the number of techniques you're expected to know and be able to demonstrate competently. When you're trained around focusing on those principles and improving through them, the number of techniques really become little more than ways to demonstrate those principles from a variety of situations, which improves and strengthens everything.